Mark Alan Barnes, a 44-year-old resident of Candler, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Social Security benefits fraud. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Court documents indicate that between 2015 and 2020, Barnes unlawfully collected around $77,770 in Social Security Retirement Benefits meant for a deceased beneficiary. Instead of notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the beneficiary’s death as required, Barnes continued to withdraw funds using a debit card linked to the deceased individual’s bank account at ATMs in the area.
Barnes pleaded guilty to theft of government funds on February 8, 2025.
“Stealing Social Security benefits is stealing from every taxpayer,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “For Social Security to work, benefits must go only to those who earned them—not fraudsters. I appreciate the strong partnership of the Social Security Administration in holding fraudsters accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General at the SSA.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina aimed at deterring theft of government funds and ensuring individuals who steal government benefits are brought to justice.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick prosecuted this case. Frick serves as a prosecutor with both the SSA and as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, focusing on prosecuting SSA fraud cases. This role highlights collaboration between SSA and federal prosecutors.
Individuals can report suspected fraud or abuse involving Social Security online at oig.ssa.gov or through the SSA-OIG’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
